Fuse.



I PATENTED MAY 9, 1905. D. PISTORIO.

FUSE.

APPLICATION IILED snr'nso, 1904.

UNITED STATES Patented May 9, 1905.

DOMINGO PISTORIO, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

FUSE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 789,669, dated May 9, 1905.

Application filed September 30, 1904. Serial No. 226,712.

To a7], whmn it may concern.-

Be it known that LDOMI GO PIs'roRIo,a citi- Zen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the District of Oolumbia,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fuses, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to improvements in fuses; and the main object thereof is the provision of a fuse in which a centrifugally-operated barrier of a new and novel construction is employed which is rigidly secured within the fuse-body, so that it is impossible to accidentally or prematurely explode the fulminating-cap, thus remedying the fuses in general use,wherein a centrifugally-operated barrier loosely mounted within the fuse-body is employed.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a centrifugally operated release mechanism for the firing-pin of fuses, which normally prevents the firing-pin from contact ing the fulminating-cap, but which can be operated by centrifugal force produced by the twirling of the projectile while in flight, so as to allow the firing-pin free access to the fulminating-cap, a separate means being provided in connection with this. device to retain the same in open position should the centrifugal force decrease to such an extent that the device would normally look, thus providing a means that when once open in firing allows the firing-pin to freely act upon the fulminating-cap when the projectile is impeded in its flight or strikes an object.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a new and improved form of firingpin and plunger, the plunger being provided with grooves, whereby the escape of air within the fuse-body through the grooves will prevent the cushioning of the plunger therein, so as not to retard its action upon the fulminating-cap.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional View of my complete fuse with the parts in inoperative position. Fig. 2 is a similar view with the parts in the position they assume when the projectile is in flight. Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the centrifugally-operated means open in full lines, the dotted lines showing the position when inoperative. Fig. 4 is a cross-section through the centrifugally operated means. Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the plunger. Fig. 6 is a detail view'of one of the guides; and Fig. 7 is a detail view of the segments,showing the locking device for holding the same apart.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the fuse-body, which is provided with the interior socket 2 and the annular shoulder 3 and the open mouth 4, provided with the smooth surface 5 and threaded portion 6. Loosely fitting within the socket 2 is the plunger 7, which is provided with the cylindrical lug 8, carrying centrally thereof and projecting therefrom the firing-pin 9. In order to prevent any cushioning effect within the socket 2, the plunger is provided with a series of channels or recesseslO upon the periphery thereof. Fitting within the mouth of the fuse-body opposed to the smooth portion thereof and having its inner edge abutting against the annular shoulder is a casing 11. This casing contains thedocking means or guard and consists of the cap '12., having formed centrally thereof the fulminating-eap holder 13, containing the fulminating-cap 1 1, which is exposed upon the interior side of the casing. Mounted within this casing are the segmental guards 15, which are adapted to have a sliding movement to or from each other, being normally held toward each other by means of the coiled springs 16, which are mounted Within the sockets17 upon the exterior surface of the segments and in the cups 18, mounted in the opposed openings 19 of the casin'g. In order to properly guide the segments in their movement to or from each other, I provide the grooves or recesses 20 in the opposite ends of said segments and in alinement with the elongated openings 21, provided inthe sides of the casing, and in these elongated openings I mount the segmental guides or plates 22. (Clearly shown in detail in Fig. 6.) These guides I provide with the centrally-arranged pointed projection 23, terminating in theoppositely-extending straight edges 24:, and the pointed projection looks the segments, so as to prevent the withdrawal from the casing and the oppositely-extending straight edges guiding the segments to or from each other, so as to insure an even movement, so that the inner faces of the segments will always be parallel to each other. In ordcr to retain the caps containing the springs and the guides in their relative positions within the casing, I employ the retaining band or ring 25. This entire device, as before stated, is mounted within the fuse-body and occupies the smooth bored surface, and in order to hold it in such position, so thatitabuts closely against the annular shoulder of the fuse-body, I provide the screw-threaded retaining-ring 26, which is adapted to engage the screw-threads in the mouth of the fuse-body and the outer surface of the casing and lock the same in such position.

The inner faces of the segments are formed with small reeesses'or channels 27, which when the segments are together forms a circular opening adapted to aline with the fulminatingcap within the casing sufiiciently large to allow the insertion of the liring-pin therein, a portion above said recess being cut away, as at 28, so as to provide a substantially elliptical opening when the segments are together or when they are apart to provide an opening large enough so as to loosely receive the cylindrical projection of the plunger, thus removing all barrier to the firing pin and plunger, so that when the projectile is impeded in its flight the plunger will move forward and cause the firing-pin to strike the fulminatingcap.

WV hen the segments are in closed position, the projection of the plunger rests upon the outer surface of the segments, while the iring-pin enters the small opening therebetween in alinement with the fulminating-cap.

If it is desired to delay the bursting of the charge within the projectile, and thereby allow the same to enter the object before exploding, the space within the threaded retaining-ring is filled with a slow explosive, so as to prove a supplemental magazine, the open end of the ring being closed by means of a disk 29. In order to prevent the closing of the segments while the projectile is in flight and the centrifugal operation thereof is decreasing, I provide in one end of each segment a locking-recess 30, and in the opposite end I provide a recess 30, in which is provided or pivoted one end of the arm or lock 31, and thus when the segments have been forced apart by the centrifugal force these locks will be thrown out, so as to engage the loeking-recess in the opposite segment and hold said segments in such position apart, even should the centrifugal force of the projectile entirely cease. By providing one of these locking devices at each end it will be seen that the inner faces of the segments will be the same distance apart throughout their length, so that the firingpin will always be free to act upon the fuhninating-eap, whereas should a locking device be provided only at one end the opposite end could be moved inward, providing a triangular slot which would prevent the firing-pin from engaging the fulminating-cap, it being my desire to provide a means so that it will be impossible for the firing-pin to be exploded or prevent it from striking the cap after the segments have been once forced apart.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings, it is evident that I provide a fuse which has embodied therein features which will absolutely prevent the firing-pin from accidentally engaging the fuhninating-cap, the said means being only operated by centrifugal force and having springs so located that the pressure from the centrifugal force moves the opposed faces of the centrifugally-operated devices simultaneously away from each other, so that the channel to the fulminating-cap is entirely clear, the said centrifugally-operated devices being further provided with means for holding them apart in such position, so that when the projectile decreases its centrifugal motion the parts will be in a position to operate when the fuse is impeded or stopped in its flight.

hat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a fuse the combination of a fuse-body, a plunger carrying a firing-pin slidabl y mounted within the fuse-body, a casing mounted in the open end of the fuse-body, a fulminatingcap carried by the casing, a sectional safetyguard mounted in the casing and in engagement with the plunger for holding the firingpin from contact with the fulminating-cap, means mounted in the casing for engagement with the sections of the safety-guard for guiding said sections in their movement when releasing the firingpin, means carried by each section for holding the sections apart, and means for locking the casing stationarily within the fuse-body.

2. In a fuse, the combination of a fuse-bod y provided with a socket therein, a plunger mounted therein, a firing'pin carried by the plunger, a casing mounted in the fuse-body, a fulminating-cap mounted in the casing, a pair of segments mounted in the casing adapted to engage the plunger to hold the firing-pin from contact with the fulminating-cap, means for holding said segments toward each other, and means opposed to each end of the segments for locking the segments within the casing and insuring the simultaneous movement apart of the segments throughout their length.

3. Ina fuse, the combination of a fuse-body provided with a socket therein, a plunger mounted therein, a firing-pin carried by the plunger, a casing mounted inthe fuse-bod y, a fulminating-cap mounted in the casing, a pair of segments mounted in the casing adapted to engage the plunger to hold the firing-pin from contact with the fulminating-cap, means for holding said segments toward each other,

means opposed to each end of the segments for locking the segments within the casing and insuring the simultaneous movement apart of the segments throughout their length, and means for holding the casing within the fusebody.

4.. In a fuse, the combination of a fuse-body provided with a socket, a plunger mounted therein, a firing-pin carried by the plunger, a casing mounted in the fuse-body, a fulminating-cap carried by the casing, a pair of seg ments mounted in the casing adapted to be spread apart by centrifugal force, a combined locking and guiding means for the segments mounted in the casing and engaging the opposite ends of the segments, and means for holding the segments together so as to prevent the firing-pin from engaging the fulminating-cap.

5. In a fuse, the combination of a fuse-body provided with a socket, a plunger mounted therein, a firing-pin carried by the plunger, a casing mounted in the fuse-body. a fulminating-cap carried by the casing, a pair of segments mounted in the casing adapted to be spread apart by centrifugal force, a combined. locking and guiding means for the segments mounted in the casing and engaging opposite ends of the segments, means for holding the segments together so as to prevent the firingpin from engaging the fulminating-cap, and means for holding the casing within the fusebod y.

6. In a fuse, the combination of a fuse-body provided with a socket, a plunger mounted therein, a firing-pin carried by the plunger, a casing mountedin the fuse-body, a fulminating-cap carried by the casing, a pair of segments mounted in the casing adapted to be spread apart by centrifugal force, a combined locking and guiding means for the segments mounted in the casing and engaging the opposite ends of the segments, means for holding the segments together so as to prevent the firing-pin from engaging the fulminating-cap, and a retaining-ring mounted in the end of the fuse-body for holding the casing stationarily therein.

7. In a fuse, the combination of a fuse-body provided with a socket, a plunger provided with a cylindrical projection upon the outer face slidabl y mounted therein, a firing-pin carried by the plunger, a casing mounted in the fuse-bod y so that the firing-pin projects therein, a fulminating-cap carried by the casing, spring-actuated means mounted in the casing adapted to loosely surround the firing-pin and engage the projection of the plunger to hold the firing-pin from engagement with the fulminating-cap, and means mounted in the easing and engaging the spring-actuated means for guiding the spring-actuatedmeans in its movement and keeping the inner faces thereof in parallelogram.

8. In a fuse, the combination of a fuse-body provided with a socket, a plunger provided with a cylindrical projection upon the outer face slidably mounted therein, a firing-pin carried by the plunger, a casing mounted in the fuse-body so that the firing-pin projects therein, a fulminating-cap, carried by the casing, spring-actuated means mounted in the casing adapted to loosely surround the firing-pin and engage the projection of the plunger to hold the pin from engagement with the fulminating-cap, and means mounted in the casing and engaging the spring-actuated means for guiding the said spring-actuated means in its movement and keeping the inner faces thereof in parallelogram.

9. In a fuse, the combination of a fuse-bod y provided with a socket, a plunger provided with a cylindrical projection upon the outer face slidably mounted therein, a firing-pin carried by the plunger, a casing mounted in the fuse-bod y so that the firing-pin projects therein, a fulminating-cap carried by the casing, spring-actuated means mounted in the casing adapted toloosely surround. the firing-pin and engage the'projection of the plunger to hold the pin from engagement with the fulminating-cap, means mounted in the casing and engaging the spring actuated means for guiding the said spring-actuated means in its movement and keeping the inner faces thereof in parallelogram, and a retaining-ring mounted in the end of the fuse-body for holding the casing stationarily within the fuse-body.

10. In a fuse the combination of a fuse body provided with asocket, a plunger mounted therein provided with a projection, a firingpin mounted in the plunger, a casing mounted in the fuse-body so that the firing-pin projects therein, a fulminating-cap carried by the easing, a pair of segments slidably mounted within the casing and adapted to surround the firing-pin, the outer faces projecting beyond the casing and engaging the projectionof the plunger to hold the firing-pin from engagement with the fulminating-cap, means for holding the segments toward each other, and means carried by the opposite ends of said segments adapted when the segments are thrown apart by centrifugal force to engage the segments and hold the same apart.

11. In a fuse, the combination of a fusebody, a plunger carrying a firing-pin slidably mounted within the body, a casing mounted in the fuse-body provided with elongated openings in opposite walls thereof, a fulminatingcap carried by the casing, a safetyguard mounted in the casing and in engagement with the plunger to hold the firing-pin from contact with the fulminating cap, and means mounted in the elongated openings of the casing and engaging the safety-guard for holding the same in the casing and guiding it in its movement when releasing the plunger.

12. In a fuse, the combination of a fusebody, a plunger carrying a firing-pin slidably mounted within the body, a casing mounted in the fuse-body provided with elongated openings in opposite walls thereof, a fulminating cap carried by the casing, a safety-guard mounted in the casing and in engagement with the plunger to hold the firing-pin from contact with the fulminating-cap, means mounted in the elongated openings of the casing and engaging the safetyguard for holding the same in the casing and guiding itin its movement when releasing the plunger, and means surrounding the casing for holding said means in adjusted position.

13. In a fuse, the combination of a fusebody, a plunger carryinga firing-pin slidably mounted within the body, a casing mounted in the fuse-bod y provided with elongated openings in opposite walls thereof, a fulminatingcap carried by the casing, a safety guard mounted in the casing and in engagement with the plunger to hold the firing-pin from contact with the fulminating-cap, means mounted in the elongated openings of the casing and engaging the safetyguard for holding the same in the casing and guiding it in its movement when releasing the plunger, and means for locking the casing stationarily within the fuse-body.

14. In a fuse, the combination of a fusebody, a plunger carrying a firing-pin slidably mounted within the same, a casing mounted in the fuse-body provided with oppositelyarranged elongated openings, afulminatingcap carried by the casing, a pair of segments mounted in the casing, springs engaging each of said segments centrally and forcing them toward each other, and means mounted in the elongated opening of the casing and engaging the segments for guiding them in their movement to or from each other.

15. In a fuse, the combination of a fusebody, a plunger carrying a firing-pinslidably mounted within the same, a casing mounted in the fuse-body provided with oppositelyarranged elongated openings, a fulminatingcap carried by the casing, a pair of segments mounted in the casing, springs engaging each of said segments centrally and forcing them toward each other, means mounted in the elongated openings of the casing and engaging the segments for guiding them in their movement to or from each other, and means surrounding the casing for holding the springs and guiding means in place.

16. In a fuse, the combination of a fusebody, a plunger carrying a firing-pin slidably mounted within the same, a casing mounted in the fuse-body provided with oppositely-arranged elongated openings, a fulminatingcap carried by the casing, a pair of segments mounted in the casing, springs engaging each of said segments centrally and forcing them toward each other, means mounted in the elongated openings of the casing and engaging the segments for guiding them in their movement to or from each other, and means for locking the casing stationai'ily within the fuse-body.

17. In a fuse, the combination of a fusebod y, a plunger carrying a firing-pin slidably mounted within the bod y a casing mounted in the fuse-body provided with elongated openings in opposite walls thereof, a fulminatingcap carried by the casing, a safety guard mounted in the casing and in engagement with the plunger to hold the firing-pin from contact with the fulminating-cap, means adapted when the safety-guard is thrown apart by contrifugal force to engage and hold the same apart, and means for locking the casing stationarily within the fuse-body.

18. In a fuse, the combination of a fusebody, a plunger carrying a firing-pin slidably mounted within the same, a casing mounted in the fuse-body provided with oppositely-a1" ranged elongated openings, a 'fulminating-cap carried by the casing, a pair of segments mounted in the casing, springs engaging each of said segments centrally and forcing them toward each other, means adapted when the segments are thrown apart by centrifugal force to engage and hold them apart, and means for locking the casing stationarily within the fuse-body.

19. In a fuse, the combination of a fusebody provided with a socket, a plunger mounted therein, a firing-pin carried by the plunger, a casing mounted in the fuse-body, a fulminating-cap carried by the casing, a pair of segments slidably mounted within the casing adapted to surround the firing-pin, centrally arranged means for holding the segments toward each other and an arm carried by the inner face of each segment adapted to be thrown outward as the segments separate by centrifugal force and engage the opposite inner face of the segment for holding the segments apart in parallel.

20. In a fuse, the combination of a fusebody provided with a socket, a plunger arranged therein, a firing-pin carried by the plunger, a fulminating-eap, a sectional guard for engaging the plunger to prevent the liring-pin from engaging the fulminating-cap, spring-actuated means for holding the sections of the guard together, and means carried near one end of each segment adapted to be thrown outward by centrifugal force so that as the segments spread apart by such force the faces of the segments are held apart in perfect parallel, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

DOMINGO PIS'IORIO.

\Vitnesses:

BERTRAM G. VVIIEELER, JAMES A. MORAN. 

